Combating LGBTQ+ health disparities by instituting a family medicine curriculum

Abstract

Research shows that a growing number of people in the United States are identifying as LGBTQ+. Therefore, it is more important than ever that clinicians are trained to be knowledgeable, inclusive, and culturally aware. Unfortunately, there is a lack of LGBTQ+ health education requirements in graduate medical education. As a result, fewer clinicians are prepared to care for this growing population. The shortage of knowledgeable clinicians contributes to LGBTQ+ health disparities and barriers to care. One strategy to combat these deficiencies in health care is for Family Medicine residency programs to create and carry out an LGBTQ+ health curriculum. This article will review LGBTQ+ health topics, identify efforts that Family Medicine residency programs can make, and summarize curriculum developments made by the St. Vincent's Family Medicine Residency Program.